Protest Planned Against France and Germany’s Border Check

Name: Protest Planned Against France and Germany’s Border Check | IaM (
Uploaded: 2024-10-30T16:00:00+00:00
Description: A Europe-wide protest led by the political party Volt Europa is set to take place on November 2nd, challenging

A Europe-wide protest led by the political party Volt Europa is set to take place on November 2nd, challenging France and Germany’s decision to reintroduce border controls, which the party claims undermines European unity and freedom of movement. Participants from across Europe will gather at 13:00 at the Les P’tites Pousses childcare center in Apach, France, located near the Luxembourg border.

After the opening rally, protestors will cross from France into the German municipality of Perl for additional speeches before heading to Schengen village in Luxembourg, home to the monument commemorating the historic Schengen Agreement, which symbolises open borders within the EU.

Citing terrorism and irregular migration concerns, Germany and France have both informed the European Commission of their decision to extend internal border checks. These measures, permitted under the Schengen Borders Code (SBC) during times of heightened security threats, are set to remain until early 2025.

Germany implemented its internal border checks on September 16, 2024, set to last until March 15, 2025. France followed, announcing extended checks at its borders with Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain from November 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025.

Despite Luxembourg not enforcing border checks itself, the country is significantly impacted by its neighbours’ decisions, as cross-border commuters and local businesses experience heightened delays and disruptions.

Internal Border Checks Threaten EU Unity

Volt Europa has called the reintroduction of border checks a setback for European integration, and the party’s General Secretary, Daniel Silva, argues that these measures do little to improve security. Silva points out that German police unions themselves have voiced concerns that border checks add strain on law enforcement staff without effectively addressing security challenges.

“The security issue is very real, but border checks do not solve it,”

General Secretary, Daniel Silva

In contrast, Germany’s Federal Ministry of Interior claims that the checks have led to the prevention of around 1,000 individuals entering Germany since they went into effect. However, Volt Europa believes the solution lies in a collaborative EU approach to migration and security, rather than individual countries reinstating border controls.

Local Impact and Concerns

While both France and Germany insist that the impact on travel, commuter traffic, and trade will be minimal, cross-border workers and local residents in Luxembourg are already reporting significant delays. In France, experts warn that extended border checks may lead to long queues, affecting Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Italy.

This protest aims to send a strong message to EU policymakers that border controls are not the answer. By gathering at the symbolic site of the Schengen monument, Volt Europa hopes to remind leaders of the fundamental values of the Schengen Agreement and push for a return to open borders in Europe.

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